2020 will always be remembered as the year our lives drastically changed as we tried to assist fighting coronavirus by staying at home. The internet is packed with ideas to fill your time during quarantine; write a book, learn a language or take up a new hobby, but instead we’d recommend something a little different – using this time to practice a verbal reasoning test and prepare for your upcoming interviews.
What is a verbal reasoning test?
Verbal reasoning tests are used to assess your verbal, logic and comprehension skills. You will need to answer questions about a passage of text provided, showing your ability to filter through key information.
What is the format of a verbal reasoning test?
Verbal reasoning tests can differ in format, which is why it is important to practice different versions so you feel confident in what is expected of you. Most questions are based on situations given in a short passage. Answers are normally multiple choice, with ‘true’, ‘false’, or ‘cannot say’ as the options. The questions aren’t likely to be related to the job you are interviewing for and no previous knowledge is needed. It is therefore important to focus only on the given data. Verbal reasoning tests are normally taken in timed conditions to test your reading, processing and logical answers under pressure.
Why do employers use verbal reasoning tests?
Employers use these tests to assess your understanding and comprehension skills. A key skill in nearly all industries is to extract important information in a quick and accurate manner, especially in this era of excess information. Rational decision making and expressed logic are always going to impress employers. As a verbal reasoning test is likely to be part of your interview or assessment day, it is important to feel confident in the format of the tests by practising as many as possible.
How can I prepare?
The test requires you to make decisions based on the passage provided, not using any prior knowledge of a subject, so it is important to practice to get a feel for the way questions are asked. Some will have a ‘cannot say’ or ‘false’ answer which many candidates can find difficult to comprehend as we are often taught to try and find only the correct answer in tests. Practice the tests in exam-like conditions, using the one question per minute rule – if you are struggling with one question move onto the next. Make sure you review your answers straight after answering the test to help you learn from any mistakes. It is important to read all the instructions carefully before beginning the test.
So put down the French phrasebook, stop brainstorming your first novel’s title and step away from the knitting needles, instead use this time to increase your confidence and ultimately ace your assessment day or interview by practising some verbal reasoning tests.
